"Míriel was the name of his mother, who was called Serindë, because of her surpassing skill in weaving and needlework; for her hands were more skilled to fineness than any hands even among the Noldor."

Míriel Serindë, also spelled Þerindë, was the first wife of Finwë, King of the Noldor. Her son was Curufinwë, whom she called Fëanáro, which means "Spirit of Fire". Miriel's hair was described as being silver in appearance, an unusual color for one of the Noldor.

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History

Míriel lived in the blessed realm of Aman, in the city of Tirion on the Tuna hill, together with her husband. Her hands were skilled in the shaping of fine things, and she was unsurpassed in weaving and needlework.

There was much love between her and Finwë, and even more for her son, but after giving birth to Fëanor, her body and her spirit were consumed and she wished to be released from life, by saying that there was no strength left in her to bear another son. What would have been enough for other children, had been all given to Fëanor. Despite Finwë's grief, and her unhappiness to leaver her young child, Míriel departed for the gardens of Lórien, where she was supposed to be asleep for a shortwhile, until her strength would be regained.

But during her rest, the fëa departed from her body, and she entered the Halls of Mandos, where the maidens of Estë took care of her body, so that it would not whither. In essence, she had died of free will. This was seen as a shocking event by the Valar, and Manwë allowed Finwë to take another wife.

After Finwë had been killed, Míriel was granted permission to return to life, where she entered the service of Vairë, her task to weave all the deeds of the House of Finwë in the Tapestry of Time.

Etymology

The name Míriel means "Jewel-daughter" in Quenya, from mîr ("jewel") and -iel ("daughter"). Her epessëSerindë, or Þerindë in the Quenya of Tirion, means "the Broideress", referring to her work for Vairë.

Other versions of the legendarium

In the beginning of The Shibboleth of Fëanor, Fëanor is an adult, and Míriel is still alive. There the similarities between mother and son, such as their stubbornness, are revealed. Fëanor's reaction to his mother's death is also presented, as he guarded her hröa, which was placed in a garden, for some time after her passing. In the published Silmarillion, Míriel died soon after birth.